Feed device or feed-hopper.



PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

H. D. CONWAY. FEED DEVICE OR FEED HOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY D. CONWAY, OF JACKSON; MICHIGAN.

FEED DEVICE OR FEED-HOPPER.

trated and described in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 793,059, issued tome on the 27th day of June, 1905, although it is desirable for use innumerous other relations.

The objects of this invention are: first, to rovide an improved feedhopper adapted or feeding crushed stone and other coarse materials,which is not likely to be clogged thereby; second, to provide animproved feed hopper adapted to deliver the material very evenly; andthird, to provide an improved construction of feed or conveyer screw.

Further objects, and objects relating to deby the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

' A structure embod ing the features of my invention is clearly iustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part. of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of myimproved feed device, taken on a line corresponding to line 11 of Fig.2, the shaft and screw or conveyer being shown in full lines; Fig. 2 isa transverse section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. '-1;Fig. 3 is a transverse section on a line correspond.-

ing to line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the conveyeror screw, taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a detail lan showing the arrange- Specification of LettersPatent. Application filed Kay 14. 1906- Saris-1N0. 316.765

mama Feb. 18, 1908.

similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the drawing: A represents the frame upon which the hopperis supported. The bottom. of the hopper A is curved in cross-section, asclearly appears in Figs. 2

and 3, its curvature corresponding to that of the spiral conveyer orfeed screw.

' The conveyer or feed screw shaft B is provided with suitable journalsat each end, the I body of the shaft being rectangular in crosssection.

.The blade of the conveyer or feed screw made u of sections 0 havinghubs C which are co ormedto fit the rectangular portions of the shaft.The hubs C are divided lon itudinally and are secured upon the shaft ykeys 0 which are driven into transverse slots 0 formed in the ends ofthe hubs. These slots 0 are deflected inwardly towards each other at theperipheries of the hubs, so that when the keys are driven into the sametheir ends are bent, thereby preventing their slipping longitudinallyfrom the slots. This secures the screw sections firmly in position uponthe shaft and, at the same time, allows their ready removal, shouldoccasion require, it only being necessary to drive the keys out to freethe same. The use of bolts or screws is thus avoided and at the sametime the fastening is very secure.

A break or opening 0 is formed at the de livery end of the feed screwpreferably by omitting one of the blade sections C. The object of thiswill be pointed out later.

At the delivery end of the hopper is a guard or shield D which extendsinwardly over'the screw to a point above the break or o ening C therein.The guard. D is adjusta ly secured by means of the bolts, (1 arrangedthrough suitable vertical slots d therein. The guard is curved toconform to the feed screw or conveyer, and its inner end is flaredupwardly at D to more readily allow the matical slots e so that it maybe adjusted relative to the screw, and is arranged so that the feedscrew when in operation, revolves toward the same, asis indicated by thearrowinFig. 2.

It is found in practice, that coarse materials, particularly crushedstone, are likely 'to' become wedged between the feed screw screwprevents any of the material becoming wedged between the guard D and thescrew. The guard D supports the material in the hopper so that it isonly fed therefrom by means of the feed screw, thus insuring an evenpositive feed.

I have illustrated and described my improved feed hopper in detail intheform preerred by me on account of its structural convenience andeconomy.I am aware, how-- ever, that it is capable of considerable variation instructural details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a hopper, the bot tom of which is curved incross-section, hav ing a delivery opening at one end; a spiral or screwconveyer having a break in the blade thereof, at its delivery end; avertically ad- 'ustable livery en ofsaid hopper, extending inwardly to apoint above the break in the said screw or conveyer blade said shieldbeing conformed to said screw and having its inner end flared upwardlyat D a shield arranged over the inner end of said screw and curved toconform thereto; and a vertically adjustable longitudinal guard orshield toward which said screw revolves, arranged between said endguards or shields and extending inwardly from the wall of said hoppercurved to conform to said screw and arranged in close proximity thereto,for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening at one end a spiral or screwconveyer having a break in the blade thereof, at its delivery end; aguard or shield arranged at the delivery end of said hopper,

extending inwardly to a point above the] break in said screw or conveyerblade said shield being conformed to said screw and screw and curved' toconform thereto; and a havin its inner end flared upwardly at D; a shied arranged over the inner end of said ard or shield arranged at the de--lon itudinal guard or shield toward which sai screwrevolves, arrangedbetween said end guards or shields and extending inwardly from the wallof said hopper, curved to conform to said screw and arranged in closeproximity thereto, for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening at one end; a spiral or screwconveyer having .a break in the blade thereof, at its delivery end; aguard or shield arranged at the delivery end of said hopper, extendinginwardly to a point above the reak in the said. screw or conveyer bladesaid shield being conformed to said screw and having its inner endflared upwardly at D; and a longitudinal. guard or shield toward whichsaid screw revolves, extending inwar'dly from the wall of said hopper,curved to conform to said screw and arranged in close proximity thereto,for the purpose specified. I

4. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening at one end; a spiral or screwconveyer having a break in the blade thereof, at its delivery end; aguard or shield arranged at thedelivery end of said hopper, extendinginwardly to a point above the break in the said screw or conveyer blade;a shield arranged over the inner end of said screw and curved to conformthereto; and a lon itudinal guard or shield toward which sai screwrevolves, arranged between said end guards or shields and extendinginwardly from the wall of said ho per, curved to conform to said screwan arranged in close proximity thereto, for the purpose specified.

5. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening at one end; a spiral or screwconveyer having ,a break in the blade thereof, at its delivery end; aguard or shield arranged at the delivery end of said hopper, extendinginwardly to a point above the break in the said screw or conveyer blade;and a longitudinal guard or shield toward which said screw revolves,extending inwardly from the wall of said hopper curved to conform' tosaid screw and arranged in close proximity thereto, for the purposespecified.

6. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening at one end; a spiral or screwconveyer having a break in the. blade thereof, at its delivery end; anda vertically adjustable guard or shield arranged at the delivery end ofsaid hopper, extendm inwardly to a point above the break in sai screwand having its inner end flared upwardly at D; for the purposespecified.

7. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening form to said screw an at oneend; a s iral or screw conveyer; a guard or shield arranged at thedelivery end of said hopper, said shield being conformed to said screwand havin its inner end flared upwardly at D; a shie d arranged over theinner end of said screw and curved to conform thereto; and alongitudinal guard or shield toward which said screw revolves, arrangedbetween said end guards or shields and extending inwardly from the Wallof said hopper, curved to conarranged in close proximity thereto, forthe purpose specified.

8. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening at one end; a spiral or screwconveyer; a guard or shield arranged at the delivery end of said hopper,said shield being conformed to said screw and havin its inner end flaredupwardly at D; and a ongitudinal' uard or shield toward which said screwrevdlves, extending inwardly from the wall of said hopper, curved toconform to said screw and arranged in close proximity thereto, for thepurpose specified.

9. The combination of a hopper, the bottom of which is curved incross-section, having a delivery opening at one end; a s iral or screwconveyer; a guard or shiel arranged over the inner end of said screw andcurved to conform thereto; and a longitudinal guard or shield towardwhich said screw revolves, arranged between said end guards or shieldsand extending inwardly from the wall of said ho per, curved to conformto said screw an arranged in close proximity thereto, for the purposespecified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two wit- IIBSSBS.

HENRY D. CONWAY. [L; s}

Witnesses: V

HAZEL MUNRO, JEssIE C. BALL.

